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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mishima's care for the detail in this one really makes the reader yearn for the sea
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A simple, charming, and brisk coming of age love story between a honest, “heart of gold” fisherman (in truth fisher-boy) and a chaste, virginal maiden in a remote, largely unspoiled fishing village of post war Japan. Though the story is rather plain, the route it takes to get there is littered with beautiful writing.
A sweet novel and what I consider a conventional romantic novel, unlike what I had expected from Yukio Mishima. I was drawn emotionally to the characters when they were placed in difficult situations. I most admired Shinji's mother, for her love towards her dead husband and her desire to fulfill her duties as a mother, Jukichi for his support and advice towards Shinji, and Hatsue for her descriptions as a beautiful virgin. The ending that was not tragic but a happy ending caught me off guard. While I was initially gleeful of this, I did not like the prospect of Shinji's youthful lustful ways in corrupting Hatsue. I also found it obvious that Terukichi would allow Shinji to marry his daughter in the end, and how convenient he spoke to the lighthouse mistress at the end of the model, explaining his plan all along.
I find it hard to rate this novel, either two or three stars. This novel was not a fast read, especially the scenes with Shinji's brother and the scenes with Yasuo, but the novel is short enough to not fall into long lapses of boredom (looking at you, "Forbidden Colors"). The ending was also disappointing. For now I lean to two stars. I consider this in the upper strata of my two star ratings. This novel is held down from a three star rating because of the ending and the majority of the focus of the novel being on Shinji, when I was more enthralled with certain minor characters. I cannot think of any one star moments.
Notes
Chapter One- Loved the description of the island.
Chapter Three- Predicted that Yasuo was going to hook up with Hatsue.
Chapter Four- Predicted that Shinji would run into Hatsue.
Chapter Five- Cute play and dialogue between Shinji and Hatsue.
Chapter Eight- Liked Shinji's mother for being remorseful of her husband's death but also boastful of her health, profession, and strict obedience to her family duties. I am not a fan of Shinji already trying to have intercourse with Hatsue.
Chapter Ten- Awesome to see Jukichi back up Shinji.
Chapter Eleven- Love Jukichi's support towards Shinji now that the rumors have spread and Hatsue cannot see Shinji. I hope this doesn't turn into a tragic tale because I care for Hatsue, but it would probably be boring if Shinji and Hatsue lived happily ever after.
Chapter Fourteen- I did not like Shinji taking a stab at Yasuo by asking if Yasuo had a photo of Hatsue when Shinji was in possession of one.
I am actually afraid that Shinji might die in reaching the buoy. This seems like the perfect event for Shinji to win Hatsue's father over but something tells me that Mishima has a dark ending planned.
December 27, 2019
Update
It has been hard to accept 2.5 rating of The Sound of Waves, all because of Shinji. His corruption of Hatsue (mentioned in the original review) which occurs in several sections of the novel but most profound in the end, puts a damper on the book. I cheer for the book, root for Shinji at times, but Hatsue's corruption looms over this. This is a definite two star-rating because it is closer to being in between a one star-rating (for my dislike of Shinji) and a three star-rating (for my enjoyment while reading the novel and previously mentioned positive aspects). It is fine for the book type to be listed as 2.5C because the rating shifts between a two star-rating (that takes into account Hatsue's corruption) and a three star-rating (that ignores this and finds that Hatsue's corruption does not take up much of the novel). However, Hatsue's corruption is central to the ending and I tend to put emphasis on endings. Most days I receive The Sound of Waves as a good two star-rated book, and have downplayed the corruption of Hatsue. For now I must ignore the 2.5C book type and focus on this book as received mixed feelings.
I find it hard to rate this novel, either two or three stars. This novel was not a fast read, especially the scenes with Shinji's brother and the scenes with Yasuo, but the novel is short enough to not fall into long lapses of boredom (looking at you, "Forbidden Colors"). The ending was also disappointing. For now I lean to two stars. I consider this in the upper strata of my two star ratings. This novel is held down from a three star rating because of the ending and the majority of the focus of the novel being on Shinji, when I was more enthralled with certain minor characters. I cannot think of any one star moments.
Notes
Chapter One- Loved the description of the island.
Chapter Three- Predicted that Yasuo was going to hook up with Hatsue.
Chapter Four- Predicted that Shinji would run into Hatsue.
Chapter Five- Cute play and dialogue between Shinji and Hatsue.
Chapter Eight- Liked Shinji's mother for being remorseful of her husband's death but also boastful of her health, profession, and strict obedience to her family duties. I am not a fan of Shinji already trying to have intercourse with Hatsue.
Chapter Ten- Awesome to see Jukichi back up Shinji.
Chapter Eleven- Love Jukichi's support towards Shinji now that the rumors have spread and Hatsue cannot see Shinji. I hope this doesn't turn into a tragic tale because I care for Hatsue, but it would probably be boring if Shinji and Hatsue lived happily ever after.
Chapter Fourteen- I did not like Shinji taking a stab at Yasuo by asking if Yasuo had a photo of Hatsue when Shinji was in possession of one.
I am actually afraid that Shinji might die in reaching the buoy. This seems like the perfect event for Shinji to win Hatsue's father over but something tells me that Mishima has a dark ending planned.
December 27, 2019
Update
It has been hard to accept 2.5 rating of The Sound of Waves, all because of Shinji. His corruption of Hatsue (mentioned in the original review) which occurs in several sections of the novel but most profound in the end, puts a damper on the book. I cheer for the book, root for Shinji at times, but Hatsue's corruption looms over this. This is a definite two star-rating because it is closer to being in between a one star-rating (for my dislike of Shinji) and a three star-rating (for my enjoyment while reading the novel and previously mentioned positive aspects). It is fine for the book type to be listed as 2.5C because the rating shifts between a two star-rating (that takes into account Hatsue's corruption) and a three star-rating (that ignores this and finds that Hatsue's corruption does not take up much of the novel). However, Hatsue's corruption is central to the ending and I tend to put emphasis on endings. Most days I receive The Sound of Waves as a good two star-rated book, and have downplayed the corruption of Hatsue. For now I must ignore the 2.5C book type and focus on this book as received mixed feelings.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
three point five, beautiful, easy, simple read with a beautiful setting and world yk, the overwhelming breast imagery may or may not be a plus or a minus
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Se me hace muy dificil ponerle un rating a este libro porque sinceramente me gustó.
Para mi son 3,5⭐ porque no siento que la manera en la que está escrito me haya dejado sin palabras ni siento que sea un libro que absolutamente todos tienen que leer, pero si estás buscando una historia de amor conmovedora y tienes ganas de leer algo ligero que te llene el corazón, este es un muy buen candidato!
Independientemente de la cantidad de estrellas que tenga, vale la pena darle una oportunidad.
Para mi son 3,5⭐ porque no siento que la manera en la que está escrito me haya dejado sin palabras ni siento que sea un libro que absolutamente todos tienen que leer, pero si estás buscando una historia de amor conmovedora y tienes ganas de leer algo ligero que te llene el corazón, este es un muy buen candidato!
Independientemente de la cantidad de estrellas que tenga, vale la pena darle una oportunidad.